Obituary of Red Beard

Memorial funeral services for Mr. Gayle "Red" Beard are scheduled for 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Richmond Community Center, Tallulah, LA, with Bro. Tommy Beard officiating. Mr. Beard, a lifelong resident of Madison Parish, LA, passed away November 30, 2023, in Vicksburg, MS, at the age of eighty-eight. Mr. Beard was born June 21, 1935. He was a graduate of Tallulah High school, where he was a standout football star. Mr. Beard spent most of his adult life as a self-employed agriculture pilot. He owned his own airstrip for many years and his was one of only three private airstrips in the area at the time. He was what was known as a true “stick and rudder” pilot and served the area farmers faithfully before his health declined, forcing him to retire. He is preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Leslie Beard; son, Jerry Beard; granddaughter, Brandy Gayle Beard; brothers, Percy Beard and Perry Beard; and sister, Joyce Roark. Mr. Red is survived by his son, Tommy Beard, and wife Donna; grandchildren, Amanda Fortner, and husband Jon, Savannah Little, and husband Jonathan, and Amber Beard; as well as two great-grandchildren, Trenston Gayle Mize and KayLee Little. Special Acknowledgements: Lynne Grady and Cynthia Machen who coordinated the event - with the help of Eva F. Taylor who also provided the music for the service. Tammi Arender for making such a long drive to attend the service and then putting the “icing on the cake” with the video report found online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqUKZv4Iw2s . Buddy Caldwell who provided the sound equipment and set it up. Steve Gustafson for his comments and insights on Red Beard and the Ag Industry. Ag Pilots that attended the service and added special honor to the event: Little Bill Yerger - Wayne Hopkins - Craig Cox - Whoop Grady - Steve Gustafson Paul Fields - John Hopkins - Chad Newell - Mike Finley - Dennis Newell - Freddy Gaumnitz. Chad Newell and Devone Hopkins who led in prayers for the service. Richmond Community Center for the facilities that made the event possible. Great People of Madison Parish - Friends - Family that attended the service. Ronnie and Marvella Mitchell of R&M Caterers of Tallulah for the delicious meal prepared. Honorary Friends who would have served as Pallbearers in traditional settings: Whoop Grady - Britt Grady - John Hopkins - Roy Barnett - Freddy Gaumnitz - Bill Yerger John Earl Martin was not able to attend the service due to health reasons. We all appreciate his contribution to the Madison Parish History of Aviation found online at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lamadiso/articles/agaviation.htm . Chem-Air of Shreveport was represented well by: Jason Salsbury - Mike Finley - Chad Newell.